Nanjing University of Science & Technology

Sleep-disordered breathing can damage the cardiovascular system, and may also lead to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, endocrine disorders, and hemodynamic changes, causing multi-system and multi-organ damage. Screening for potential central-type patients among patients with respiratory disorders can help provide scientific diagnosis and treatment decisions, thus achieving precise treatment. Currently, research on the identification of sleep-disordered breathing phenotypes is in its infancy. Sleep-disordered breathing phenotypes, such as obstructive and central respiratory events, vary widely among individuals. Compared to indirect methods such as RIP and SpO2, changes in breathing sounds and snoring during sleep can more directly reflect airway obstruction. Different types of sleep-disordered breathing exhibit different characteristics in terms of snoring. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea experience narrowing or blockage of the airway due to relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep, which leads to breathing pauses and hypopnea events, resulting in decreased blood oxygen levels, arousal, and snoring. Central sleep apnea is caused by problems with the brainstem or respiratory control center, leading to breathing pauses. Snoring is usually not very prominent in patients with central sleep apnea. This study aims to screen for potential central-type patients by analyzing upper airway sounds of patients with sleep-disordered breathing, in order to achieve precise treatment.